The Directorate of School Education in Himachal Pradesh has issued a directive to all Deputy Directors to enforce the Supreme Court's guidelines on student mental and emotional well-being. The order applies to all educational institutions, including government and private schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutes, training centres, residential schools and hostels.
Supreme Court's 15-point action plan
The Supreme Court released a comprehensive 15-point action plan following the suicide of a 17-year-old NEET aspirant in Visakhapatnam. The guidelines mandate that every educational institution adopt a mental health policy based on the draft UMMEED Guidelines and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Counselling requirements for institutions
Institutions with 100 or more students must appoint or engage at least one qualified counsellor, psychologist or social worker with expertise in child and adolescent mental health. Smaller institutions are required to establish referral linkages with nearby mental health professionals.
According to the directive, institutions must create systems that promote emotional well-being, peer support, stress management, safe communication and access to counselling. Educational institutions, particularly coaching centres, have been instructed to avoid practices such as publicly displaying students' marks or ranks, segregating students based on academic performance, setting unrealistic academic targets and shaming or humiliating students.
Sensitive interaction with vulnerable students
Staff members should be trained to interact sensitively with students from vulnerable backgrounds, including those belonging to the SC/ST communities, OBCs, economically weaker sections, students with disabilities and those affected by trauma, bereavement or previous suicide attempts. Institutions have also been directed to encourage students' participation in sports and other co-curricular activities.
